La vie malgré tout

Based on a true story this film written by Rama Laurie Stagner and directed by David Jones is wrenchingly honest and moving. Roxy (Amy Madigan) and Vinnie (Dennis Boutsikas) try for years to be pregnant only to have the baby they finally produce to have AIDS, and to discover they too are infected. However their story is full of hope, about appreciating what you have, learning the meaning of friendship, and making the most of your time. The film doesn't telegraph it's intentions. When the diagnosis is made is it just as much a surprise to the audience as it is to the characters, which is a credit to the screenplay. And in spite of the other treatments of similar material it maintains interest because of the disenobling integrity of the acting and the sureness of direction. It also features a remarkable death scene - the kind I've never seen realised before, and another gutsy performance from Amy Madigan, who I've always liked.

This is just an amazing story about "bad things that happen to good people." I just finished watching it 5 minutes ago so I'm still in awe. The story took place in 1984 - when I was 9 years old - and I had never even heard of AIDS at that time. Watching this was a learning experience for me. It amazes me how far things have developed in 22 years, both good and bad. (Bad in the amount of similar cases today, and good in the testing/treatment of the disease.) Nobody ever thinks something like this will happen to them. I still don't believe anything will ever go wrong with my life. But watching this movie makes you realize than anything unexpected can happen to anyone at anytime no matter WHO you are or how careful you are. Things just HAPPEN - and I think this movie does an excellent job portraying that fact. I can't rate this movie a 10 because I think it could have been put together a bit better, but I will definitely give it a 9 for the message it has and the reality of the situation. It's a definite "must see!"

I watched this last night on the Lifetime Movie Network. I cried and cried and cried. Vinnie's outlook on life, and the way he was able to handle all this bad stuff happening to him and his family is just amazing. I would only hope I could be as half as strong. Makes me thankful for my health and the health of my family. I had to remind myself of the year this movie was made, as a couple of their close friends no longer had contact with them after they became ill. Frustrating as the husband was a doctor and should of known better. If you watch this make sure you have tissues on hand!! I definitely recommend it.

I thought this movie was a very sad and touching movie-- but one part of it really annoyed me-- the beginning where the woman (with her parents sitting right there) makes a big production of "giving herself away." at her wedding. Now, I understand when women don't want to be "given away." in the traditional sense, but there are MANY ways to begin a wedding-- including having both bride AND groom escorted down the aisle by their parents. Other cultures do things such as having the bride and groom escort each other, as was done in my brother and sister in laws wedding in Russia. The way it was done in this movie seemed to me to feel like something was being thrown in our faces.

The main reason I watched this film was because of Agatha Cristies movie with the name of 'And then there was none'. But this is a completely different senerio and a very special movie. The acting is superb, the directing is excellent as well. It is a very emotional movie that will remain in the subconscious for what seems like forever.Once this movie is viewed the person will never be the same. When they feel like they are the only people in the world who is going through such a personal tragedy,(whatever it may be at that time in their lives) this film will resurface and you will think of all those with deadly afflictions that have virtually no way out. I have personally looked for this film for myself for over five years now, would appreciate anyone who knows where I can buy it to contact me through email. Thanks.